Wednesday, March 29, 2017

The first week of Soccer has been postponed due to snow, rain and field condition. The first game is scheduled for this Sunday, April 9th. The season will run thru June 11.

Teams are being setup and finalized now. You should get an email welcoming your child to her or his new team by Friday. If you don't get it by then, contact the league, as you may not be registered properly.

We still have spots available, but there will be a strict limit on the number of players accepted and remaining kids will be wait listed. If you have not registered yet, you should do it asap. If you know somebody who would like to play, please let them know that they need to register now.

If you are interested in coaching, please contact me. I still need several!

THE SEASON

We will have a 10 game season this Spring. All U7 games will be on Sunday mornings.

Most teams will play at 9:00 AM but some weeks will play at 10:30, so please check this weekly. "UpTeams" will play at 10:30 always, and in the middle field slot.

No games will be scheduled over Memorial Day Weekend, May 28. The last game will be June 11, weather permitting.

THE BLOG

This Blog will be the primary source of information for schedules, cancellations, etc. Feel free to use the comments to discuss the league and let us know what we can do to improve any aspect of U7 Soccer.

Cancellations due to weather will be posted to the blog... please check it within an hour of the start time on game-day morning. If you do not have access to the internet on Sunday mornings, please let me know.

1If you already have the correct uniform color, please use it. If not, the league will supply a shirt, shorts and socks on the first day

2Appropriate shoes. We'll play on real grass, cleats are recommended (but are not required)

3Shin pads are required. Your child may be excluded from the game if this important piece of safety equipment is not used.

4Players must come to the game with their own size 4 ball with the players name on it

5Long pants and long sleeved shirts may be worn under the team uniform if desired

6Water - for frequent breaks

7A snack for between the practice and game may be desired

8Players must not wear earrings during the practice or game

9Parents must remain at the field with their children during the entire session

Our Philosophy

At the U7 level we continue focusing on basic skills, and begin incorporating more of the basic rules into the experience.

Our primary focus remains providing a fun and healthy environment for the kids to discover their emerging soccer skills. We do not focus on winning. We don't keep official score, celebrate wins, or mourn losses. We strive for every player to get equal playing time, and try to keep the number of players on the field small in order to maximize opportunities to play. We reward skillful play, good attitudes and sportsmanship.

Adults, please try to keep this in mind. If you see a player on a team opposing your child's team, and that player is exceptionally good... please try to celebrate that skill as opposed to trying to suppress it. All players develop at different rates, and at this age, some kids really stand out. This is a good thing, try to not take offense by it.

Here are some additional notes about the U7 format:

For this outdoor session we will play 5v5 plus a goalie. We will use the bigger nets. Coaches may decide to change the structure as needed for a fun and fulfilling game depending on attendance.

Coaches may decide to balance teams at game time if there is a need to equalize the number of players on each team.

Substitutions should be made when play stops and should occur approximately every 5 - 10 minutes

We will play with throw-ins, goalie kicks and corner kicks.

The game will start with a kick-off at the center, as will the second half of the game

After each goal, the team scored upon will start again by kicking-off at center. A successful kick-off means that the ball needs to roll 1 revolution forward and be touched by another player

Hand balls result in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side

No slide-tackling allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side

No pushing with the arms or hands allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side

No tripping from behind allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side

No checking with hips allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to opposing side

No off-sides called

The coaches may decide to break for half-time

Basic Rules for Parents

Players must play within their designated age group.

Players must play on the team they have been assigned to. Requests for specific teams will be honored if availability permits. Requests made close to the start of the season are often hard or impossible to accomodate for.

At least one adult supervisor must stay during the entire session and is responsible for watching kids if they wander away from play

Parent involvement is appreciated and encouraged when appropriate but please try not to interfere with the session

Due to insurance rules players who are not registered with the league cannot play

Players must not wear jewelry such as earrings, watches, necklaces, etc.

Pine Banks Field

All games will be played at Pine Banks Field. We will use the field inside the track with natural grass turf, at the corner of Main St. and Sylvan St.